MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Which coolant?

The coolant level has dropped slightly in the months we've had the car. Nothing serious, just a couple of mill, but it got me thinking - what do I top it up with?

Yes, I know, water! But I've heard there's two types of coolant used in these and they're not interchangeable.

Thus, how do you know what category is in, and what products are in what category?

Thanks.

D Forber

take the opportunity to have your dealer flush and replace whatever rover recommends.its timely and reletivly inexpensive 'basically green is the standard fluid. some prefer o.a.t. a brown colour. stick with whatever is in there now.i believe the key is a coolant change on a yearly basis.it gives you a chance to inspect the pipe work for sign of leaks.the refill must be finaled by an air bleed 2 times.your dealer should be up with this . bleeding the system is the big plus. plenty of sites to explain this. coolant level will drop slightly due to ambient temp but once it has settled mark it on the resovoir side with an indelible pen.and check it weekly.
rb wadwsorth

For a couple of inches you should use water, the system is diluted by the dealer to 50/50 and contains about 10 pints.

If you are changing the coolant then you should use the same stuff (look at the colour) as came out, yellow/green coolant is 'unipart superplus 2' and should be changed every 2 years. Pink or blue is OAT and should be changed every 3 years. Never mix colours.
Will Munns

The RAVE disc says 10.5 litres(double most cars volume) of (min 50% recommend 60% diluted) ethylene glycol based antifreeze with silicate corrosion inhibitor. It specifcally warns against phosphate corrosion inhibitors so check the label as ever. Organic Acid Technology is pretty standard but not obligatory and costs more. Probably better to save the money and have it flushed more often. Long life is a complete waste of money as you would be mad or outrageously lucky to not service your coolant system in 150,000 miles! If topping up a little; water only is fine but avoid hard water and softened water. Distilled is best especially for a whole system fill.
Charles

sorry pints/litres!

worth saying that you do have to do the bleed right, and many a hgf has been attributed to a bad refill. swopping to three rather than two years makes a lot of sense
Will Munns

My 1996 F has Blue in it which is the one that was put in when we had a new radiator fitted and we have had NO problems
To refill remove the radiator filler plug from the right hand side, fill through the expansion bottle and allow the antifreez to flow from the radiator.
Fit the filler plug and expansion bottle cap, start the car and allow to idel,Keep an eye on the bottle top up as required.
Graham

graham, buy a lotto ticket now,there are 2 more bleed valves, 3, if you count the jiggle valve,all to be done with the heater full on.treat the f,s cooling system like anew born baby.its not robust,cheers
rb wadwsorth

Hi,

not all, but a lot on the matter can be found here :)
http://www.mgfcar.de/bleed/index.htm

I've changed coolant from Standdard green/yellow to pink OAT in last year when I did the cam belt change and water pump change. Good option to flush the system with water and get in the OAT stuff.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter

This thread was discussed on 24/05/2006

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now